Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Immunisation Programmes in Ibadan Metropolis, Southwest Nigeria

Childhood immunisation coverage in rural and a tribal settings in southern India and assessing effect of the Covid19 pandemic

Covid-19 Vaccination Uptake Among Remote Communities In Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study

A novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic outbreak started in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019 and subsequently spread globally with a 3.4% mortality rate of 87,137 confirmed cases as of March 1, 2020 and currently in February 16, 2024 it caused 0.9% mortality rate of 703,305,215 nationwide confirmed cases [1,2]. The coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, was named the disease by the World Health Organization (WHO) and poses a significant threat to public health, including Malaysia. The virus’s global spread was attributed to sustained human-to-human transmission, leading to exported cases worldwide and WHO announced it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020 [1,3,4]. It is a newly discovered novel strain of coronavirus detected on December 31, 2019 [1]. Utilising the angiotensinconverting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, like SARS-CoV, the virus predominantly spreads through the respiratory tract [5]. Clinical symptoms exhibited by COVID-19 patients included fever, cough, fatigue, and, in some cases, gastrointestinal infection symptoms [6]. Vulnerability to infection and a propensity for severe outcomes, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and cytokine storms, were observed notably in the elderly and those with underlying diseases [7]. The SARS-CoV-2 was initially treated as secondary and tertiary prevention under the level of disease prevention aiming for early diagnosis from prompt, optimised and sustained care, rehabilitation, and disability prevention [8]. Subsequently, when the virus characteristic was established the prevention level focused on primordial and primary prevention, including the health education, health promotion, new vaccine development and immunisation [8].

Determinants and Consequences of Long Impact of COVID-19: A National Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

Background: The post-acute consequences of prolonged Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection are a major public health problem characterized by long-lasting, multisystem manifestations. There is limited evidence from Saudi Arabia, particularly from nationally representative studies using standard case definitions. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Long COVID, characterize its symptoms, identify risk factors, and assess disease burden and healthcare utilization among Saudi adults. Methods: Between June 2023 and December 2024, we conducted a national cross-sectional mixed-methods study among 1790 adults with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection in all 13 regions of Saudi Arabia. Long COVID was defined using the WHO consensus case definition (symptoms persisting ≥ 3 months post-infection not attributable to alternative diagnoses). Results: The prevalence of Long COVID was 32.0% (95% CI 29.8–34.3). The most common symptoms were fatigue (68%), dyspnea (45%), and cognitive impairment (39%). Independent predictors included female sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.8, 95% CI 1.4–2.3), moderate-to-severe acute infection (aOR 2.5, 95% CI 2.0–3.1), incomplete vaccination (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.1), metabolic disorders (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.1), and obesity (aOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–1.9). Among Long COVID patients, 41% required specialty care and 12% reported work disability. Conclusions: Long COVID affects approximately one-third of COVID-19 survivors in Saudi Arabia, imposing a significant healthcare and socioeconomic burden. These findings highlight the need for swift action and policy implementation within the health care system to mitigate long-term consequences.

Factors associated with COVID-19 booster dose uptake in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia: insights for policy improvement during pandemics

Men were significantly more than twice as likely to receive the booster dose compared to females, while individuals who had positive attitudes toward the booster dose were up to 5 times more likely to be vaccinated.

Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Vaccine hesitancy is a serious public health problem that contributes to poor vaccine uptake with associated poor health outcomes among the population. This study assessed the level of hesitancy of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination among pregnant women in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. METHODS A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 104 pregnant women was conducted at a specialist hospital antenatal clinic. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was assessed using a 10-item tool. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were performed, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS The mean age of the participants was 30.3 y (standard deviation 6.3), with 49% ages 25-34 y. Most were married (96.2%), resided in urban areas (84.6%) and were employed (64.4%). About 72% of the participants had more than one child, were healthy (55.8%) and had no family members or friends who had been vaccinated against COVID-19 (70.2%). Overall, about 58% of the participants were hesitant regarding COVID-19 vaccine. Participants' parity, health status, social influence and negative perceptions towards vaccination influenced vaccine hesitancy. CONCLUSION Pregnant women were likely to be hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccines if they felt their health was good and had a family member who had received a COVID-19 shot. Public health efforts and education campaigns for pregnant women are needed to change their perception patterns to promote vaccination uptake and participation in vaccine trials.

Impact of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on reproductive outcomes in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss.

OBJECTIVES To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on reproductive outcomes in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and the influence of material and social deprivation on these outcomes. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included RPL patients seen at a specialized clinic between March 1, 2018, and February 28, 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on care period: pre-pandemic (March 1, 2018-February 29, 2020) and pandemic (March 1, 2020-February 28, 2022). Cumulative probabilities of birth were estimated using the cumulative incidence function within a competing risk framework, treating pregnancy loss as a competing event. Fine and Gray regression models calculated sub-distribution hazard ratio (sHR) of birth. RESULTS 544 patients were included in the study, with 255 in the pre-pandemic group and 289 in the pandemic group. Individuals in the pandemic group were less likely to achieve pregnancy than those in the pre-pandemic group (relative risk = 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39 - 0.66). Among those who conceived, the cumulative probability of live birth was 0.77 in both groups. Relative to individuals residing in high-social deprivation neighborhoods, those living in moderately deprived areas had higher sub-distribution hazards of live birth (adjusted sHR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.25 - 3.10; P = 0.003). CONCLUSION Within specialized RPL care and a universal maternity care system, pregnancy rates were lower during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, among those who conceived, the probability of achieving a live birth remained similar between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods.